How to Identify Quality in a Car Lift for Sale

Quality is a crucial topic in any industry, no less so when it comes to automotive lifts. We already wrote an article on the importance of quality in a car lift. High-quality products tell the world you know what you're doing and you care about how you do it. These products also keep you safer, last longer and require less maintenance and fewer replacement parts along the way. So let's assume you agree: you deserve a quality lift in your garage. The next step is to figure out how you can identify quality in the lift of your choosing. It's not hard to do, if you know what to look for.

Price is irrelevant (sort of)

When you see a car lift for sale, you might be tempted by a sudden sale on a lift you might not otherwise want, or you might come across a lift that's significantly cheaper than the others. Who knows—maybe you just stumbled across the deal of the century and should take it. More than likely, however, there's a catch. If that catch means reduced quality, a lesser warranty and/or inferior customer service after the sale, you're being duped. More times than not, price is an irrelevant factor in determining the best piece of equipment, especially one that you rely on to protect your life while you work.

Brand names matter

There are a few reputable companies out there that stand out among the rest. Each company's job is to convince you of their value. So, let's start convincing. BendPak offers the best warranty, hands-down. We're also second-to-none in responsiveness, customer service post-sale and yes, our price points are not just slightly better—we usually blow our competition out of the water. We sell in higher volume than anyone else, which certainly helps us control costs without sacrificing quality.

Certification

The best car lifts for sale will be ALI/ETL Certified. This certification goes a long way toward identifying high quality lifts. ALI Certification is pass/fail. However, companies will approach this in different ways. Some will see these standards as a ceiling (aka doing the bare minimum), while others, like BendPak, will see them as a challenge.

Finding a quality used car lift for sale

This is a tricky chore because you have no way of knowing how a previous owner used a lift. The same thing happens when you buy a used car from a private seller. They'll always tell you it "runs like new," and you might just get a good discount, but is that worth losing a warranty and possibly getting defective equipment? If you know what to look for, getting a quality lift might not be an issue. For one, does the lift you're looking at pass the eye test? Badly scratched paint and dents could just be cosmetic wear and tear, but they might indicate a careless owner. If they're careless about the appearance and upkeep of their equipment, are they careless about doing maintenance? If a lift passes the eye test, walk around and look at the cables, sheaves, lifting arms, carriages, etc. It's also worth inspecting the hydraulic cylinder(s), if possible. Any signs of warped or defective parts should cause you to reject the lift outright. Thoroughly inspect all steel parts for signs of cracking or fracturing. If the wire ropes, sheaves and hydraulic systems are all properly cared for and in good condition, and you don't see signs of undue stress on the columns or concrete, you might be looking at a quality lift. If the well-kept used lift is made by BendPak, that's another great sign of quality!